Business, international

A la fa on de Peapod

Article Abstract:

The Internet site of the Robert Doussan food supermarket has registered 20,470 connections for its four months of tests in Montpellier. There were 425 orders placed, an average of four deliveries per day with an average of FFr 1,050 per market basket delivery. The company does not have stocks, and makes its purchases in the supermarkets and hypermarkets which offer the best prices in the city. The site also offers suppliers advertising space and new product tests. Robert Doussan's objective is to cover the 20 biggest cities in France and to develop other accesses than Internet for orders, while improving ordering conditions and developing client services. The company is going to double its capital in October 1998 and in October 1998, sign partnerships with local retailers in 1999 and be listed on the stock market in the year 2000.

Comment:

Registers 20,470 connections in its Internet site for its four months of tests

FRANCE: SUPERMARKETS TEST ELECTRONIC COUPONS

Article Abstract:

Two supermarkets - the Champion store at Saint-Barnabe, near Marseille, and Casino - are testing electronic coupons for the first time in France. Casino is getting ready to launch a national operation in April 1999. It will distribute 21mn coupons in its national network of about 300 stores. Champion is awaiting the results of this initial test, at the end of April 1999, before considering expanding it nationwide. In addition to making transactions secure and to accelerate deposits, electronic coupons provide immediate information. The retail chain can thus measure better the performance of a product, and adapt promotions to the market radius.

FRANCE: CASINO LOWERS ITS PRICES

Article Abstract:

In France, Casino supermarkets are cutting their prices in order to be in line with the competition. This price adjustment operation has been launched in two pilot regions, Lyon and Toulouse. Four of the ten Casino regions are to follow in the first half of 1999. This price cutting operation is paying off. Sales in stores participating in this operation are expected to post double-digit rises in volume. This price adjustment operation will be backed by a new advertising campaign, to be launched in the first quarter of 1999